I came across the names of some graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy who were drafted by Major League Baseball and have played in the minor leagues. One example of this is Karl Bolt (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Karl_Bolt) who was in the Phillies organization. Wouldn't academy graduates generally not be able to pursue a professional baseball career because of their required military commissions after graduation?

DSpivack

03-26-2010, 11:51 PM

Isn't the service requirement two years?

That's how long the Spurs waited for David Robinson, no?

TDog

03-27-2010, 01:50 AM

Isn't the service requirement two years?

That's how long the Spurs waited for David Robinson, no?

I believe the service academy requirement has been increased to six years. Everyone I've talked to who is heading off to an academy in the last dozen years has told me it's 10 total -- four at the academy plus six more. I understand David Robinson was a special case. Our knowledge is only as good as our sources, but I read that Robinson originally was training for submarine service and outgrew that before getting an early out. I don't know if there was some reservist or recruitment duty stuck on the back end.

I also read that a football player named Roger Staubach graduated from the Naval Academy in 1964 and had to serve in Vietnam before playing for the Dallas Cowboys beginning in 1969. But I don't follow football and am not familiar with him.